Question

The focus of the Second Five Year Plan was :

• A. Agriculture
• B. Atomic Energy
• C. Heavy Industries
• D. Small Scale Industries

Hint:

Remember the core focus of early planning in India: - First Five Year Plan (1951--56): Agriculture (K.N. Raj model) - Second Five Year Plan (1956--61): Heavy Industries (Mahalanobis model)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The Five Year Plans were structured economic strategies formulated by the Planning Commission of India to direct national economic development. While the First Five Year Plan (1951--1956) prioritized agricultural development to address food shortages, the Second Five Year Plan (1956--1961) shifted focus toward rapid industrialization.

Step 1: Background of the Second Five Year Plan.
Drafted under the leadership of the eminent statistician Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, the Second Five Year Plan was based on the Mahalanobis Model. This model emphasized state-driven development of capital goods and basic heavy industries to build a self-reliant economic foundation for India.

Step 2: Key Objectives and Allocation.
The primary objective was rapid industrialization with a special thrust on basic and heavy industries such as steel, chemicals, machine building, and heavy engineering. Steel plants at Bhilai, Rourkela, and Durgapur were established during this period.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Hence, the focus of the Second Five Year Plan was Heavy Industries.